The Mexican National Defense Secretary (Sedena) recently announced that it plans to invest almost USD 107mn to modernize 105 armoured vehicles in service with the Mexican Army. According to documents published in late June by the Ministry of the Treasury, Mexico will overhaul half of its 207 ERC 90 Lynx 6x6 reconnaissance and combat armoured vehicles.

Mexican army's ERC 90 F1 Lynx combat reconnaissance vehicles

Through this USD107.4 million programme, SEDENA intends to procure 105 upgraded armoured vehicles that will bring four of its nine Armoured Reconnaissance Regiments (RBRs) to full strength.

The Mexican army currently deploys 207 Panhard Defense ERC 90 combat reconnaissance vehicles, 4x4 VBL scout vehicles, and 6x6 VCR armoured personnel carriers in total as part of the 1st RBR and 2nd RBR in Temamantla, Mexico State, 3rd RBR in Cuernavaca, Morelos, and 4th RBR in Queretaro.

Moreover, the Mexican Department of Defense maintains a production plan of an indigenously-made armoured vehicle, with at least 100 vehicles " DN-XI" to be produced, with an estimated investment of USD27 million. The vehicle could leave the factory of the Mexican military industry in 2018.

The ERC 90 F1 Lynx was designed and manufactured by Hispano-Suiza (which is no longer involved in the design, development and production of armoured fighting vehicle turrets) and armed with a 90 mm F1 gun, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun and two 80 mm smoke grenade dischargers on either side of the turret at the rear.